Obama courting AIPAC?

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Obama gave a speech to AIPAC on Friday beating the drum for war with Iran.

I support Barack Obama 100%, but I have some questions about this position. I ask these questions seriously because I hold out the possibility of being persuaded.

1) Why does America need Israel? This is always presented as an article of faith, but I've never come across an actual nuts-and-bolts case for the argument. Since the end of the Cold War, it seems clear that our "special relationship" is a big net negative for U.S. interests.

2) Why does Obama need AIPAC? I'm not a professional politician, so maybe I'm missing something here. If I were running for president, I'd stay as far away as I could from an organization that puts the interests of a foreign country ahead of those of the U.S.

3) How will bellicosity against Iran help the moderate voices among the Iranians?

On notice from Hillary

From Newsweek:

"Last week, the Clintonites were serving notice—not for the first time—that anyone who brings up Bill and Hillary's past marital problems will be branded a character assassin."

Character assassin? What character?

That body turned up years ago.

"I have ridden the mighty moon worm!"

CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider speculates that the inventor of the environment and Emperor of the Moon Al Gore might [may? could? - insert weasel word here] announce he's running for president at the Academy Awards.

After Barack Obama's choice of Springfield's Old State Capitol for a venue for his announcement, the Academy Awards would be a horrible choice for Gore to announce. It's an industry self-promotion ceremony for goodness sake. Even if a billion people are watching, most of them wouldn't have a vote.